Footwear



April 1944- H. H. CLEIN ETAL 2,346,415

FOOTWEAR Filed Oct. 9, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

April 11, 1944. H. H. CLEIN ET AL 2,346,415

' FOOTWEAR Filed Oct. 9, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .191 Tom:

Patented Apr. 119 1944 OFFICE 2,346,415 Foo'rwam Hilliard n. Clein and Robert T. Kauflman, New York, N. Y.

Application October 9, 1943, Serial No. 505,610

11 Claims. (01. 36-15) i This invention relates to footwear, and particularly to women's shoes adapted for conversion into various basic types.

There are three main basic types of women's shoes, known in the art as the pump, strap and tie-the latter being sometimes also referred to as lace. All other shoes are nothing more than variations of one of these basic types. For example, a plain pump with the addition of a bow or a buckle orsome other embellishment is still a pump. It is primarily within the contemplation of this invention to enable one of the said basic types to be converted to another basic type.

It is another object of this invention to enable the conversion from one basic type of shoe to another to be readily and quickly accomplished by the wearer, without the use of any special skill or training.

Another object of our invention is to provide a construction for each of the basic types that is structurally strong and aesthetically attractive.

And it is within the contemplation of our in vention to provide it with component element of simple and inexpensive construction, whereby three different types of shoes can be economically had at a cost. considerable below that of three separate conventional shoes.

It is a further object of our invention to enable a wearer to be fitted with but one shoe and nevertheless have the use of three different types of shoes.

And still another object is to enable different color and texture effects to be introduced in converting one type to another.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the drawings and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure -1 is a perspective view of one of the constituent elements of my invention known as a T-strap.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of another constituent element known as a tie or lace.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the pump basic type; constructed accordingv to our invention. 1

Figure 4 is a plan view of the shoe of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the strap basic type, constructed according to our invention, and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the tie or lace basic type, constructed according to our invention.

In Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the elemental or fundamental member of our invention is illustrated as the pump 10 containing an upper ll suitably secured to the sole l2 of the shoe. In the particular form of our invention illustrated, the forward part [3 of the upper is provided with the decorative fastening means 14 comprising, in the embodiment shown, a belt or strap stitched to the upper at l5 and interlaced therewith in the region of the front edge l6 of the foot opening H. The fastener strap l4 extends in substantially arcuate form transversely with respect to the upper, the terminal portion 18 being cooperatively associated with the buckle portion I9. Longitudinally extending slits 20 form loops 2| which hold the strap l4 inplace.

Member 22, sometimes known as a T-strap, consists of a front portion 23 and a strap portion 24 with buckle 25, the particular embodiment showing the strap portion extending through slits 2 6 in the front portion and therefore detachably associated therewith. The lower part of the front portion contains a transverse row of longitudinal slits 21 forming loops 28 adapter to correspond dimensionally with certain predetermined of the slits 20 and loops 2! of the fundamental member l0.

As hereinabove indicated, the member H] is in itself a distinct basic typz. to wit, a pump. he wearer is fitted with this fundamental member. It may be worn as a complete shoe if desired, the fastener strap l4 serving as an embellishment in addition to its mechanical function as will hereinafter appear.

If it is desired to convert the pump into an entirely different type, such as a strap type, the member 22 of Figure 1 is attached to the fundamental pump member Hi to produce the assembly shown in Figure 5. This is accomplished by first opening the buckle attachment l9 and withdrawing the fastener strap [4 from the loops 2i. Then the member 22 is placed in position in engagement with the pump member ID with the slits 21 in registry with the corresponding slits 20, whereafter the strap I4 is inserted through the both sets of slits in the assembled combination, the strap 14 passing through superimposed loops 28 and 2| as well as the exposed single loops 2|, in the manner shown in Figure 5.

The strap portion 24 is passed through the slits 29 located at the rear portion 30 of the upper, the back portion 3| of the strap 24 being adjacent the inside rear quarter 32 of the shoe. The closing of buckle l9 completes the attachment of T-strap member 22 to the upperof the shoe, and the closing of buckle 25 completes the operation of securing the shoe to the foot of the wearer.

The assembly of members I0 and 22 in the manner above described enables a ready conversion of the shoe from one basic style to another. The fastener strap l4 serves not only as a means of embellishing the shoe, but also as a means of securing the member 23 firmly in its operative upright position. The security of attachment is in part obtained through the transverse positioning of strap H, which enables a substantial area of the bottom of member 23 to be in engagement with the forward portion 13 of the upper. It is obvious that the effective area of engagement between the member 23 and the upper can be made to extend substantially along the entire length of the fastener strap l4, if the bottom part of member 23 is made sulficiently wide, substantially as indicated in the form of Figure 6 to be hereinafter described. This firm attachment cannot be obtained as effectively by any disposition of the strap I4 or equivalent securing means other than transversely.

The entire strap member 22 is firmly held in place for an additional reason, to wit, the positioning of part 3| of strap 24 at the inside rear of the shoe, whereby it will be in engagement with the back of the heel of the wearers foot. In other words, the wearers heel holds the said back part 3| against forward displacement, and effects in conjunction with the strap M, a firm anchorage of the T-strap and a secure positioning thereof against the foot.

It will be further observed that there is practically no strain on the walls of the slits 29, inasmuch as substantially the entire strain is taken up by the foot of the wearer. There is hence less liability of distortion of the shoe due to the strain of use.

It will be further observed that the strap portion 24 is slidably movable throughthe slits 26 and 29, and will therefore enable the buckle 25 to be adjustably positioned to avoid any pressure upon the ankle bone.

The tie member 33 of the form illustrated in Figure 2 contains a strap portion 34 integral with the partially split front portion 35 provided with holes 36 and lace 31. At the bottom of front portion 35 is a row of slits 38 forming loop 39 proportioned for registry with predetermined slits 20 and loops 2| of the fundamental member I0. It will be observed that said bottom part of front portion 35 is illustrated as being wider than the corresponding part of strap 23, so that the fastener strap I l can engage more loops of the assembly and provide a firmer anchorage, which is preferred for a lace type of shoe.

The method of assembly and attachment of the tie member 33 is substantially like that above described with reference to the strap typeand will hence not be repeated. Upon a completion of the assembly, the pump type II] is accordingly changed into a basic tie or lace type of shoe.

In converting the pump type of shoe to either of the other types, it is of course possible to introduce color and texture combinations by using constituent members of selected colors, textures and materials, which is in accordance with one of the stated objects of our invention.

Although a strap or belt I4 is shown for effecting the attachment of other constituent members to the fundamental member, it is also within the contemplation of this invention to employ other securing or attaching means known in the art, it being understood that such substitutes as well as other modifications of the pecific structures disclosed may be made within the spirit of the invention, in accordance with the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In footwear of the class described, the combination of a fundamental pump and a detachable member associated therewith; the pump containing a sol and an upper attached to the sole; the said member comprising a front portion detachably connected to the forward part of the pump upper, and a strap portion extending rearwardly from said front portion and detachably connected to the rear part of said upper.

2. In footwear of the class described, the combination of a fundamental pump and a detachable member associated therewith; the pump containing a sole and an upper attached to the sole; the said member comprising a front portion the lower part of which is in engagement with the forward part of the pump upper, fastening means extending transversely across the engaged parts of the upper and said front portion and detachably securing said engaged parts together, and a strap portion extending rearwardly from said front portion and detachably connected to the rear part of the said upper, whereby the said front portion is maintained in a generally upright position by it attachment to the said rear and forward parts of the upper.

3. In footwear of the class described, the combination of a fundamental pump and a detachable member associated therewith; the pump containing a sole and an upper attached to the sole, the top edge of the upper defining the foot opening; the said member comprising a front portion the lower part of which is in engagement with the forward part of the pump upper, fastening means extending transversely across the engaged parts of the upper and said front portion and detachably securing said engaged parts together along a line adjacent the front top edge of the upper, and a strap portion extending rearwardly from said front portion and detachably connected to the rear part of the said upper, whereby the said front portion is maintained in a generally upright position by its attachment to the said rear and forward parts of the upper.

4. In footwear of the class described, the combination of a fundamental pump and a detachable member associated therewith; the pump containing a sole and an upper attached to the sole, the top edge of the upper defining the foot opening; the said member comprising a front portion the lower part of which is in engagement with the forward part of the pump upper, fastening means extending transversely across the engaged parts of the upper and-said front portion and detachably securing said engaged parts together along an arcuate line substantially parallel to and adjacent the arcuate front top edge of the upper, and a strap p ion extending rearwardly from said front portion and detachably and slidably connected to the rear part of the said upper, whereby the said front portion is adjustably maintained in a generally upright position by its attachment to the said rear and forward parts of the upper, V

5. In footwear of the class described, the combination of a fundamental pump and a detachable member associated therewith; the pump containing a sole and an upper attached to the sole,

and slits at the rear of the upper; the said member comprising a front portion detachably con-- I nected to the forward part of the pump upper.

and a strap portion extending rearwardly from said front portion and extending throughthe said slits, whereby said front portion is maintained in a generally upright P sition by its attachment to said rear and forward parts of the upper.

6. In footwear of the class described, the combination of a fundamental pump and a detachable member associated therewith; the pump upper, and a strap portion extending rearwardly from said front portion and extending through the said slits, whereby said front portion is maintained in a generally upright position by its attachment to said rear and forward parts of the upper, the rear part of the said strap portion being positioned within the shoe and adjacent the inner rear wall thereof, whereby it is adapted for engagement with the back of the wearer's foot for holding the said front portion of the detachable member against forward displacement.

7. In footwear of the class described, the combination of a fundamental pump, a detachable member associated therewith and containing a front portion disposed in a generally upstanding position, and holding means detachably securing said front portion to the shoe in said upstanding position; the pump containing a sole and an upper attached to the sole; the said member containing a strap portion extending rearwardly from said front portion; the said holding means comprising transversely disposed fastening means on the forward part of the upper in operative engagement with the lower part of said front portion, and two slitted portions at the rear part of the upper through which the back part of said strap portion extends, said back part of the strap portion extending within the shoe adjacent the rearmost wail thereof and being adapted for engagement with the back of the wearer's foot, whereby the wearer's foot and the said fastening means will be adapted to coactively maintain the front portion in its said upstanding position.

8. In footwear of the class described. the combination of a fundamental pump and a detachable T-strap member associated therewith; the

- whereby a transverse row of spaced loops are formed proportioned for superposed registry with containing a sole and an'upper attached to thesole; the said member comprising a front portion the lower part of which is in engagement with the forward part of'the pump upper a fastening strap in interlacing transverse engagement with the engaged parts of the upper and said front portion, and a strap-portion extending rearwardly from said front portion and detachably connected to the rear part of the said upper, whereby the said front portion is maintained in a generally upright position by its attachment to the said rear and forward parts of, the upper.

10. In footwear of the class described, the combination of a fundamental pump and a detachable member associated therewith; the pump containing a sole and an upper attached to the sole, and a transverse row of longitudinally extending slits in the forward part of the upper whereby a transverse row of spaced loops are formed; the said member comprising a front portion the lower part of which contains a transverse row of longitudinally extending slits predetermined slits and loops on the said upper, and a strap portion extending rearwardly from the top of said front portion and detachably connected to the rear part of said upper; the lower part of said front portion being in overlapping engagement with the upper with corresponding slits-and loops of the engaged parts in registry:

and a fastening strap interlaced transversely with the slits and loops of the said enga ed parts, whereby the said front portion is maintained in a generally upright position by its attachment to the said rear and forward parts of the upper.

' 11. In footwear of the class described, the combination of a fundamental pump and a detachable tie member associated therewith; the

pump containing a sole and an upper attached 7 portion, said strap portion being'slidably supported by said slitted portions in the upperand stirzslitted means in the front portion of the T- pump containing a sole and an upper attached to the sole; the said member comprising a split front portion, laces operatively connecting the split elements of the front portion, and a strap portion integral with the front portion and extending rearwardly therefrom and detachably connected to the rear part of the shoe; the lower part of the tie member being in overlapping engagement with the forward part of the upper; and fastening means extending transversely across the engaged parts of the upper and said front portion and detachably securing said engaged parts together, whereby the said front por A tion is maintained in a generally upright position by its attachment to the said rear and forward parts of the upper.

. HIILIARD H. CLEIN.

ROBERT '1. KAU'I'EMAN. 

